As NPS approaches its December break, the district’s fulsome response to Year 2024’s Ballot Question 2, the statewide repeal of passing the MCAS tests as a requirement to graduate from a Massachusetts public high school, is coming into clearer focus. Changes to NPS’ graduation requirements must conform to statewide requirements…
Fig City News
On Friday, November 28, City Councilor Lenny Gentile (Ward 4) filed a late docket item asking Mayor-elect Marc Laredo to explain how his planned increase in Mayoral Office staff from 7 to 9 will fit within the current fiscal-year budget. The docket item also asked the Mayor-elect to submit a…
Following a 75-year-old tradition, the Nonantum Children’s Christmas Party Association hosted its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Sunday evening, December 7th. As they waited in the brisk air for the human Santa and the tree lighting, at least 300 people – and a number of dogs — joined the…
As Marion Pollock stood among the throngs of residents taking their first look inside the new Cooper Center for Active Living on December 5, she beamed at the beautiful, accessible public building named after her mother. The City named the facility for Audrey Cooper for her service to residents over…
Following World War II, Newton was known as “one of the best school systems in the country.” James Conant, president of Harvard, called Newton a lighthouse that pointed the way to excellence in public education. Community organizations worked closely with NPS. Leaders of the PTA and the Newton Teachers Federation…
The members-elect of the new City Council met in a caucus on December 4 and elected Ward 1 Councilor John Oliver as its next president in a 13–11 vote over Ward 8 Councilor At-Large David Kalis. Before the vote a debate included calls for unity amid revived tensions from the…
Newton Centre’s Holiday Shop & Stroll event drew shoppers, strollers, carolers, and good cheer to the sidewalks and warm shops and restaurants encircling Newton Centre Plaza. Teams from Newton Police and Fire Departments welcomed Touch-a-Truck fans who braved the cooler-than-chill weather. See this year’s gallery at https://photos.figcitynews.com/2025/2025-Newton-Centre-Holiday-Shop-and-Stroll/n-rbMw5C. Photos by Jack…
On December 1, the City Council approved three remaining items needed for Mark Development’s project to proceed adjacent to the Riverside MBTA station. The project needed approval of a revised special permit and two zoning changes, and if these were not approved by the end the current City Council’s term…
One woman escaped Nazi rule at the age of eight and made it to America where she built a career teaching music and climbed many mountains. Another woman protested dictatorship in Argentina as a child and became a renowned linguistic theorist and teacher. A third escaped Communist rule in Hungary…
As snowflakes swirl in the air and temperatures drop below freezing, you might be tempted to curl up with a blanket and a cup of hot cocoa this December. While staying warm, though, you’d be missing out on a magical, memorable event: the Newton Centre Holiday Shop and Stroll from…